Page 23 of Revenge of Sin

“Yeah, Pa?”

“This Cassone, does she mean something to you?”

I smile, same fucking question all damn day long.It seems too fucking new to be sharing, especially since I haven’t even shared it with her but if that’s what it takes to get the information I need to protect her, fine.“She does.Anna’s mine.”

“Then keep her and the family safe.Talk to you tomorrow.Love you, son.”

“Love you too.Thanks.”

I disconnect, glancing at the second hand of my watch.Just under the wire.Nobody has to tell him about phones, taps, wires and connectivity angles.We have the best men in the world making a small fucking fortune to ensure we have the technology and protocols to safeguard his life.

And that’s exactly what Massimo Roselli should have demanded for Anna.

I head out of my office on the way to the shower.Two more hours and I plan to have Anna literally eating out of my hands.Because if she thinks buying her keeps her safe, makes her trust me and gives me a legitimate reason, at least in her eyes, not to allow her to call Massimo or her sister, then that’s what I’ll let her think.

At least until I know she’s completely safe.

14

Anna

Just the sound of the rattle causes butterflies to dance in my belly.Vincenzo opens the door and his eyes meet mine, holding my gaze.

If I thought he was so engrossed in my little red outfit and the expanse of thigh the slit in the dress exposes he’d leave the door unlocked, I was wrong.He may like it, but it’s going to take more than a little bit of leg to knock Vincenzo DeLuca off his game.

He uses his foot to close the door and locks it before bringing the tray to the table by the window.“Come and sit with me, princessa.”

I should play just a little bit hard to get.Keep the enemy somewhat at bay, but the reality is no matter what he’s done, how manipulative and devious his plans were, something changed and at the last moment he decided to save me from a fate that could in all seriousness be worse than death.

A vengeful Gallini is an enemy’s worst fucking dream.I cross the room on my Louboutin heels and am rewarded with an appreciative glance that heats my very core.He takes a hand and guides me into a chair before taking the seat next to me.“Are you hungry, princessa?”

All the anxiety and pent-up energy of the day has probably depleted my calorie supply because while I haven’t done much in the way of activity this afternoon or evening, my stomach does feel decidedly empty tonight.“Actually yes.It smells fabulous.Thank you.”

He looks up with the dome lid in his hand, placing it aside.“You’re welcome.”He puts a plate of salmon, browned potato bits, and roasted Brussel sprouts in front of me.“I hope you like salmon.”

I’m suddenly so hungry that I could eat anything he brought, but this does look and smell absolutely fantastic.“I love it.Any type of seafood actually.”

He nods, standing as a light knock alerts him to someone at the door.My mind automatically stores it for a time when I may need the information.

Nicolo comes and goes, and I’ve heard other male’s voices coming and going.And when Nicolo left the other day, I saw the guard by the elevator before he closed the door.So at least one male is outside of that door even when Vincenzo is not around.At least that’s what I have to assume if I’m planning an escape.

And I am.

No matter what I thought before, or that Vincenzo is willing to buy me.No matter what Vincenzo does, helping me is only going to put him and his family into the line of fire with the Gallinis.

Massimo was right all along.I need to run, and get underground before Bastian Gallini, or his cousins or soldiers find me.I should have done it a long time ago.This entire mess is my fault and now a lot of innocent people are going to pay if I don’t make their part in it all go away.

Vincenzo may think he can buy me, and I appreciate that like hell, but he doesn’t know the Gallinis like I do.No one knows what sadistic pricks the male Gallinis can be, but I do.I’m not staying around long enough to see if I’m right.

The minute I get out of here, I need to get word to Massimo.He’s got friends in places all over.He may not run the docks in this city, but he sure as hell has at least a few men infiltrated or working undercover around the clock.Someone on his payroll will get me out of here once he knows where I am.I’m positive of it.In fact, I’d bet my life on it and that’s exactly what I plan to do.

“Anna.”

My head raises, meeting his eyes.“Sorry, did you say something?I was lost in thought.”

His eyebrow arches, and he points a silver fork toward my plate.“You’re hungry but haven’t touched a bite of your food.Perhaps you need a little help?”

My cheeks heat.“I certainly do not need any help.I was just thinking about a few things.That’s all.”